What the What?

A few weeks ago, Lydia invited me to a salsa house party hosted by some friends of hers.  As she was the only person there I knew, I spent some time getting to know the others.  Beer and barbeque and salsa helped that process, and after a while I felt right at home.  At one point, I stood in the living room talking with five men in their thirties, all of whom knew each other.  Four of the guys wore wedding bands, with wives and kids all over the house.  The fifth one was engaged, and the conversation turned to the subject of how and whether one could find happiness in marriage.   

The guys kidded each other as guys do, with “you’ll find out”, and “it’s not too late” as part of the banter.  

As the only guy there with gray hair and several ex-wives, I offered up my experience: 

“If you want a happy marriage, find yourself a good-hearted woman, and then listen to her.” 

Well.    Judging by their reaction, you would have thought I had told them the secret to marital bliss included getting down on all fours and eating dog shit.  Their brains exploded.  I thought one guy was going to spit on the carpet.  

Cries of:

 “What, are you crazy?” 

“You can’t be serious!” 

“Listen to a woman?” 

“You must be out of your mind!” filled the air. 

I just shook my head and smiled, and had another beer.